Navy abduction for ransom case : CID closes in on most wanted suspect | Sunday Observer

Navy abduction for ransom case : CID closes in on most wanted suspect

25 November, 2018

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has closed in on one of the most wanted suspects in connection with the Navy abduction for ransom case, identified by the alias ‘Annachi’.

According to the CID, the arrest of the suspect and eight other suspects connected to the abduction ring is imminent. The man calling himself Annachi had made several calls to family members of the 11 abducted youth, using several mobile numbers and demanded ransom in exchange for their release, CID sources said.

The OIC of the Gang Robbery Unit of the CID, Nishantha Silva told the Magistrate at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court last week that the investigating team had called for information on several mobile numbers from Dialog Axiata, believed to have been used by the criminal gang and Annachi.

CID sources said that although all the numbers had been obtained using falsified identification details, they have now identified the person who contacted the families following the abduction of the youth and will cross check the details with the records obtained from the mobile service provider.

The name Annachi first came to light in a statement made to the CID, by Sarojini Naganathan, the mother of Rajiv Naganathan, who was abducted in September 2008 along with five others.

According to her, a man calling himself Annachi had called her several times following Rajiv’s abduction and demanded Rs. 10 million to secure his release. While the CID is expected to reveal his identity in the coming weeks, it has already arrested 13 suspects in connection with the case.

While it is anticipated that the CID will reveal his identity in the coming weeks, Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne is expected to present himself at the CID on Tuesday, November 27, to provide a statement in connection with the case.

The CID has accused the top ranking officer of aiding and abetting one of the main accused to abscond and escape from the country as the CID investigations on the case intensified. The 11 men went missing between 2008-2009 after being abducted by a rogue Navy abduction for ransom gang allegedly led by Lt. Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath, who is now in custody.

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